The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-14
FLORIDA's LEGISLATURE.
The Drainage Matter Under Discussion
in Both Houses.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA, April 13.-m the
Senate to-day Mr.. Mann's resolution requirr
ing an Investigation of the lands conveyed
by the Trustees of the Internal Improvement
Fund was amended so as to autholize con-
sideration of the drainage companys writ
ten proposal to recover all lands found by
mutual agents not to have been earned hV
the drainage company, or to have said iandS
held subject to future drainage. The com
mttee is large and able one, and a full
investigation of this important matter will
be made.
The committee to investigate the subject
of the State printing is at work, and the
subcommittee appointed to draft a bill Civ
ing the State printing to the lowest respon-
sble bidder.
A STATE GEOLOGIST.
The bill providing for a state geolopist
was considered and opposed strongly a. 1t
needless expense, but it will doubtless pas,
Speaker Pasco was excused from attend
ance tomorrow so as TO appear III an inn
portant law suit at Quincy.
Messrs. Pelot Daniel Waring and Tomp-
kins were appointed a House committee to
inquire into all the transactions of the In
ternal Improvement Board.
The bill imposing penalty for a failure of
the County Commissioners to comply with
article nineteen of the constitution was dis
cuSsed and advanced.
Mr.. Hicks proposed an amendment to the
constitution so as to allow county officers in
small counties to hold more than one Office
The most important topic is the election of
Senator. Gov. BloXham appears TO have
gained to-day, and his nomination to-mor-
row night seems probable. MessIs. Finley
and PascO are spoken of as dark horses
should a deadlock preclude both Cows. Per
ry and Bloxham.
APPORTIoNMENT OF REPRESENTATIONS.
The question of apportionment of repre-
sentation among the several counties of the
State promises to be "A troublesome one.
Committees have been appointed in each
House, composed of the most experienced
members, to take the subject under consid-
Grafton, and all their efforts will be directed
to obtain peaceful solution of the problem
in committee, thereby saving time and bad
feeling in open session.
a bill is now before the House, imposing
a fine of s., 900 on all persons who attempt
| to purchase upland cotton in the seed This
| is intended to prevent the pernicious prac-
tice of dealing in stolen cotton, SO prevalent
in many of the counties
PAY OF JURORS.
The bill proposing to greatly increase the
pay of jurors and witnesses will probably
not become law as the larger portion OF
and mileage of jurors and witnesses, and
any increase of this burden is Objectionable.
The bill for the appointment of accountants
in each county to look after public funds
in the hands of officials is a move in the
right direction, and may be the means of
saving money to the State 1t is quite GER
tain that the payment of a reasonable poll
tax will be made prerequisite to the exer
else of the voting privilege by this Legisla-
ture.
A GROUND FOR DIVORCE.
A bill is now pending before the Senate
making conviction of an infamous offense a
ground for divorce, and avoiding expense TO
women whose husbands are convictS by al
lowing them 10 simply appear in court, state
their grievance themselves, have il entered
upon record, and obtain a divorce without
needless formality or dclaV. This may
prove a boon to a few unfortunate crea-
lures, but the general public will suffer 10y
the enactment of a provision that adds to
the already too numerous causes for di-
vorce.
The first bill to pass the House was one
declaring New river in Dade county a navi-
gable stream. There was no opposition TO
it, and the unanimous vote of the body was
recorded in favor of its passage
THE PUBLIC PRINTING.
The question of public printing is now
dtbIdcUlllH nlucu dtUeDUlOn. "A cOIlDnlJUee
from both houses has looked into this vexed
problem, and the unanimous conclusion
reached is that the printing of the State
should be let TO the lowest responsible
bidder. 1t is possible that State printer
will not be elected, and it is quite
certain that if one is chosen it will be
after bids for the work have been con-
considered, and the lowest responsible bid
der will then be chosen to do the work for
the next two years on terms to be prescribed
by the Legislative Committee on Printing
and approved by the Legislature.